Apple MacBook Air 13" M4 vs ASUS Zenbook Duo (2024)
The Verdict
Apple's M4 MacBook Air delivers exceptional value at $1,099 with industry-leading battery life reaching 18 hours, making it ideal for mobile professionals prioritizing portability and endurance. ASUS Zenbook Duo targets creative professionals with dual 14-inch OLED displays at 120Hz, superior processing power via Intel Core Ultra 9 185H, 32GB RAM, and 1TB storage,but at $1,499 with disappointing 7-hour battery life. M4's 10-core CPU handles everyday tasks flawlessly while weighing just 2.7 lbs; Zenbook's dual-screen setup and touchscreen innovation excel for content creation and multitasking, though its 3.58 lbs weight and connectivity limitations (single Thunderbolt) feel compromised. Battery performance heavily favors MacBook Air,ASUS's modest 75Wh capacity severely limits unplugged productivity despite higher specs. Choose MacBook Air M4 for balanced performance, portability, and remarkable value with day-long battery; select Zenbook Duo only if dual screens justify hauling chargers and accepting premium pricing for specialized creative workflows.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple MacBook Air 13" M4 if…
- →M4 chip is a massive leap over M3 — handles demanding creative workflows
- →16 GB RAM standard across all configurations
- →Under 2.7 lbs — one of the lightest capable laptops available
Buy the ASUS Zenbook Duo (2024) if…
- →Dual 14-inch OLED screens — like having two monitors in a laptop
- →Both displays are 120Hz OLED with stunning HDR and color accuracy
- →32 GB RAM and Core Ultra 9 handle demanding creative workflows
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Air 13" M4
Pros
- M4 chip is a massive leap over M3 — handles demanding creative workflows
- 16 GB RAM standard across all configurations
- Under 2.7 lbs — one of the lightest capable laptops available
- 18-hour battery life rivals the 15-inch model
- Fanless, completely silent operation
Cons
- 60Hz display — no ProMotion or high-refresh option
- 256 GB base storage requires upgrading for most users
- Only two Thunderbolt ports limits connectivity
- 13.6-inch screen feels cramped for multitasking
ASUS Zenbook Duo (2024)
Pros
- Dual 14-inch OLED screens — like having two monitors in a laptop
- Both displays are 120Hz OLED with stunning HDR and color accuracy
- 32 GB RAM and Core Ultra 9 handle demanding creative workflows
- Detachable Bluetooth keyboard enables flexible workstation setups
- 75 Wh battery manages decent life despite dual OLED screens
Cons
- Dual screens drain battery significantly — 7 hours is optimistic
- Heavier than single-screen ultrabooks at 3.58 lbs
- Software support for dual-screen workflows is still maturing
- Expensive at $1,499 and niche use case
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13" M4 | ASUS Zenbook Duo (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Sequoia | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 2.7 lbs (1.24 kg) | 3.58 lbs (1.63 kg) |
| Material | Recycled aluminum | Aluminum |
| Dimensions | 11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches | 12.24 x 8.82 x 0.65 inches |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB-C ports | 2 | 1 |
| SD card | — | |
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 2 | 1 |
| USB-A ports | — | 1 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours | Up to 7 hours |
| Capacity | 52.6 Wh | 75 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 13.6 inches | 14 inches (dual screens) |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS | OLED touchscreen x2 |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1664 | 2880 x 1800 (each) |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 500 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 256 GB (configurable to 2 TB) | 1 TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB | 32 GB LPDDR5X |
| Cores | 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU | 16 cores (6P + 8E + 2LPE) |
| Chipset | Apple M4 | Intel Core Ultra 9 185H |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in laptops, see all Apple products or all ASUS products. View full details for the Apple MacBook Air 13" M4 or the ASUS Zenbook Duo (2024).